WIT or Wisdom? Who cares... the festive season is nearly upon us and one thing is certain: Avidity is the new black.

[LetThemEatCake]

Trick or treat! [hsmile]

Been really busy today. All the fabric I ordered arrived, and I made my first apron. One for boys, with skull and crossbones. Photo on profile.

Have fun in the fireworks everyone.

tracey - I love this dress among the Monsoon AW10 baby girl party dresses - and it is inspired by a Charabia dress that costs 3x the price!

You could style it with silver accessories - little wand, tiara - and your DD could be an angel for Christmas

Love the shoes Marsha...wonderful colour!

Right, awaiting dh who is at Waitrose doing the weekly shop...on account of v busy weekend ahead....Rather busy afternoon after pick up including ballet and playdate (horrid word but you know what I mean), and neighbour calling and having to phone MIL in France to wish her a happy birthday...Dcs very good and wished granny Happy Birthday whilst clutching choc finger as a reward for being good grandchildren...(including baby!!!) No Bloss....she didn't say Happy Birthday! Just had choc with the others! 2nd time in her life for her

Well done Bloss...you are an inspiration!

Zembo - hope all is well with you ...

Happy Bonfire Night everyone !!!!

Aww dcs all watching Peter Pan....bliss....

Actually, I think this colour is even more fab though my own DD could never have carried it off...

Gorgeous dress Bonsoir esp with the hot pink bodice.

Dolcee that house you're describing sounds fabulous! I'm fine thanks, no symptoms at all except for my palate changing slightly - in my previous pregnancies I went completely off all sweet food (incl fruit!) and onto salty and sharp tasting stuff - everything was getting drowned in lemon juice prior to consumption - I can feel it coming on again .

Carciofi hope you're feeling ok too. I'm going to try and tell DH this evening once he's back from taking DD to see the fireworks. Can't wait to tell my mum, but have to tell him first.

Tracey you must be sooo tiny - I succumbed to the allure of Janice and she fits really well, a couple of inches above knee length and fine everywhere else too. I actually ordered thinking doesn't matter if it's a bit long, I'll be able to wear whilst preggers and the bump will pull it up a bit.. I'm also planning to get some serious maternity wear out of the fushia VW dress - probably the only time I won't feel fat in it.

Hope everyone enjoys the sights and sounds of bonfire night even if you don't get to spectate properly. No hope of catching up properly this eve, off to make invitations for my DS's birthday party.

Carciofi as you can see, no plans to buy maternity clothes! I'm going to try and make do with what I've got plus just a few new bits (as in previous pregnancies)

Went to M&S today to pick up my order, haven't opened box yet, but saw this little girl party dress, which is lovely. This one also nice, but would look better with a diff. cardi.

Will make and then eat dinner, then open parcel and come back and report.

Oh, Bloss, I'm planning to make some of these to tie on to presents. Might be a good low price point to bring people to your stall-pretty to have hanging up too.

God, I'm such a craft enabler!

Bonsoir - love that dress and prefer the ivory - DD has just tried on every pair of shoes in my wardrobe whilst I've had a trying on session.

Bloss - love that apron!

Zembo - I suspect I'm just a bit more mutton than you and like my skirts short

I am feeling huge at the moment and really need to lose a few lbs but hard this weekend as in-laws here so am providing endless food.

Right must go and be sociable.

Bloss forgot to say so impressed by your handiwork - the apron is really good

Tracey more like you've got great legs (hence all those hundreds of pairs of jeans you have) - I'm the 'modest muslim' woman so don't do legs (so why all the dresses I hear you ask) - a bit of imperfection in the bottom/thigh region, so dresses much more flattering on me

Zembo I had that! When pg I ate limes mmm.

Zembo, glad you are feeling well. Funny, I have gone off sweet things too. I did not keep any maternity clothes but have three nice dresses (two from Bloss!) so am set for New Zealand, at least.

Very cool shoes, Marsha.

Blossoming, that fabric is great. My nephew would love it.

Dolce - ha ha, am not ignoring your name suggestions! DH was saying today that we need to make an effort to at least find another name (have one). A back up list would also be helpful. I do like an old name, I must admit.

DD having a hard time staying asleep w all the fireworks - poor little thing. And poor DH who is valiantly trying to settle her.

Re books - I grew up loving Enid blyton and hoping to pass that down to the DDs.

Lovely party dresses for little girls, Wise ladies!

Tracey - esp like the dusky lilac/pink Monsoon dress you linked to. Re the Hebes, I think the sizing is close to Start Rite. When DD was first measured, she was a 19 in Start Rite and in Hebes. They are good for wide feet so perfect for DD. Am going to get her her 5th pair soon. .

Roary - oh aren't you lovely looking?! Great photo!!

Hi all!

Zembo - Great to hear from you and glad you are well.

blossoming - pics of your handiwork are so impressive!

Dolcee - I really hope you find that perfect house soon....another year and the prices will start to rise again potentially . ARGH!

Loving all the pretty links to party dress for DDs. That said I am pretty ,tight, with DDs wardrobe. The only expensive stuff is second hand (i.e good quality but not that expensive!) This obviously means I can lots more into my clothes fund...I mean her university fees/house deposit savings fund, obviously . She still looks good though!

Just back from the fireworks display. I was a bit about it all as she was knackered after the school week and it is raining here. I am glad I did it though, as it was actually a really impressive display for a small town and DD was very sweet. 'This is SO AMAZING' she kept squeaking..and on the way back she said she wanted to make the 'best thank you card ever' for the people who 'did all the fireworks.' I think we can call that a hit!

Thanks everyone. I paid for my stall today, well dh did, as a contribution, so I'm committed now! I made two aprons when dd was sleeping, they just need finishing. I'm going to ask £8 for them. Too much?

Glad you're well zembo, and good luck telling your dh.

dolcee, my dd says 'oh oh' very cutely, but no actual words (a&w competitiveness..!)

Good luck with the ils tomorrow tracey. I'm planning wine at lunch, so I should cope. And they're leaving after tea.

carciofi, going off sweet things is good, you won't put any weight on at all! Not like me who had an addiction to wispa gold. Amongst other things!

Hi all
Good to hear from zembo and glad you are well. Love Marsha's shoes....

Hi all,

Is anyone around to give me their view on these ankle boots ?

DH said that they look like old fashioned boots!

I tried to tuck skinny jeans in and option 2 was thick opaques with a moleskin mini skirt but they are so gapey around the (skinny) part of my legs.

Any opinions gratefully received as I will be sending back tomorrow and need W&A input!!

Many thanks

They're not for me dt, sorry. I find those type of boots quite difficult.

What a pretty dress Bonsoir- love the deep pink/grey combination. The ivory looks a little bridesmaid like to me.

Newsflash re the "Janice" dress. There is now a striped variety in store. It is exactly the same design but navy and cream stripe with, I think, slightly thicker material. Have tried it on and it is really nice and cam be dressed down more easily than the navy version.

am v impressed with those of you making so many fantastic craft products- reminds me of Kirsty Allsop last year!
This is a good website for children's toys of e knitted, handmade variety.
Www.decorativecountryliving.com

Have had a disastrous day today-apple laptop has been ruined by my toddler who through her beaker of water all over it :(

Thank you very much bloss. I am not really convinced either as have been in bedroom trying them on with other things and still not right! Going straight back tomorrow!

Perhaps I should resign myself to sticking to longer boots as my skinny ankles/ legs look silly in short boots with large feet too!

Lots of lovely things to look at - children's dresses, Marsha's shoes, Bloss's apron & Roary: all beautiful!

Bunny Could I just ask quickly about the baby names site you mentioned a while ago - my sister is currently thinking of names and is coming out with some real shockers (each to their own of course but if a sister can't try to guide you away from hormonal madness then who can?)

DT - I have similar length ankle boots & also find them tricky - I wear them with short skirts, jumper dresses and very skinny (jeggings type) jeans. The gape doesn't bother me too much.

Books - I was massive Enid Blyton fan when I was little so am looking forward to sharing those with DD as well as all the Roald Dahls which I still enjoy reading now. She is currently rejecting all my offers of 'real' books for endless readings of her ITNG set - she doesn't really watch the program but is utterly obsessed with the books.

We are enjoying the fireworks from the top floor - can see all over the city so plenty to watch without getting cold. Think P is still a bit young to take to a proper display but might show her some sparklers from the other side of the patio doors tomorrow if weather improves

DT10 - Sorry but am not keen on those boots, seem to me to be a bit of a mish-mash of styles. I think I would struggle with what to pair them with.

Liking the links to dresses for dd's - I would like to get the dd's some nice dresses for Christmas - I always have the same dilemma though, whether to go for something taht will double as smart daywear later or all out party dresses

Forget to mention this to you all yesterday. When I was on my shopping trip I tried on this cape and had a Proustian madelaine moment (although visual rather than olfactory) and was transported back to my childhood watching this. Does anyone else remember? God, how I wanted to be one of them, I don't really think I ever watched it properly as it was on too late and I would have been very young but I so clearly remember the title sequence. It still is the BEST uniform .

dt, I have skinny ankles and massive feet. Oh, and bunions. My feet only look good in a sky high pointy toe! I need a heel of sorts on any shoe, boot and really thick leather. Disguising my monstrosities is the bane of my life!

MrsJ - the website for baby names is www.name berry.com
It is owned by 2 American women who have written several books.
There are lots of bits off good advice on there and there is also a name board, where you can post a question and normally receive fantastic advice!